The DIRT Franchise - RANKED

Uh-oh, strap in folks. This one may cause a debate. We’ve ranked every game in the DiRT franchise, from our least favourite to what we think is the best.
The DiRT, or sometimes DIRT, games are all predominately off-road-based, but include a surprising amount of diverse racing types from across the 14 years since the first - the Vaseline-smeared Colin McRae: DiRT from 2007. Traditional stage rallying, dirt circuit racing, hillclimb and rallycross all feature. Apart from one, which didn’t really have any of those.
A contentious subject, I’m sure. But that’s okay. You don’t have to agree with us. Far from it. This is just our opinion. Disagree? Great! Let us know in the comments or on social media which you think is the best instead. We’re all ears.
Before you click or tap play, we also just want to clarify that this excludes all of the Colin McRae titled games prior to the first DiRT. That will perhaps be a separate discussion for another time. But for now, watch our ranking and tell us how much you disagree. It’s all part of the fun.
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[@blakksy]

Dirt 4 super duper underrated. It felt silly but still had a serious tone to it where you could enjoy a good single player campaign

[@philipgregory8813]

DIRT 2 was the THE single player experience I wish I could play it again having wiped my memories of it I miss the days of playing it with my brother when we were young so much. Good video personally I prefer DIRT 2 the most but I get DIRT 3 being a better overall experience if my nostalgia wasn't too powerful when thinking of the Colin McRae rally and DIRT games

[@emiliomolinas9836]

Agree. I love DiRT 2, everything about that game was perfect. And the thing with DiRT 5 is... it feels like it has lack of content in comparison of DiRT 2 'cuz somehow (Maybe for the perfect soundtrack) it feels like a DiRT 2.

[@lesfar]

I agree. I play dirt 2 every few years and I'm playing now. It's a very exciting game. I miss the online experience

[@alexhaszard]

I reckon dirt 4 should be higher on the list, at least in my opinion. It was the gateway drug to sim rally for me and heaps of my friends, and it was the game I originally bought my racing wheel for. Although it's not as good at being a sim as dr2, and not as arcadey as some of the others in the franchise, it was the perfect middle ground for me.

[@Clitches]

Agreed. 4 really got me hooked

[@petervuillermin5964]

@@Clitches I thought that dirt 4 actually combined crazy arcade and sim racing really well and reckon it should have been higher on the list at lowest maybe 5th

[@kso4vfl]

I think dirt 3 was the best I do also like dirt 4 and dirt rally 2.0 the others don’t really hit the spot I liked dirt 2 but I was to young to understand how it worked but looking back it was fairly good

[@Nothinghere42345]

They added a new rule in Dirt 4 called Marshals where you have to stop and break before you finish the track, always felt like Dirt 1-3 were much better

[@tataguidu1694]

I absolutely agree with that, dirt 2 is too arcady. For me dirt 4 is dirt but better and dirt 3 is dirt 2 but better. Never tried dirt rally 1 or 2 but it looks really good

[@billboforty6133]

Dirt 2 was the most fun imo. Especially the multiplayer where you could drive trailblazers on rallycross tracks and other crazy combinations.

[@T1G3R_Qc]

no way i never got experienced that damn would have love to do that solo

[@0121bdallan]

I find Dirt 4 to be quite a cute little simcade rally game. with just a few little issues and feels like it should in higher regard than the arcade spinoffs

[@af4396]

If ranked as just the quality of the game itself and the content it provides, Dirt 2 is #1 imo.

[@lurtiskoe]

Same I spent years playing dirt 2 and still jump on time to time. Sad you can't do mp anymore

[@bankerlmth]

I'm keeping Dirt 4 installed just for that amazing Dirt Academy alone.

[@davidgrove6113]

In my humble opinion I think peak codies was when they mastered the ego engine Dirt 2/3 ,Grid 1,2 ,autosport, F1 2012,2013.all amazing games still to be bettered.

[@andrelamotte8574]

I’ve definitely spent more time on Dirt 3 than any of the other games mentioned. I totally agree with this list.

[@ricardoferns56]

I'm playing Dirt4 now after I finished Dirt3. Honestly, as a fan of the surreal, as I come across similar areas in the game, I start thinking about a dystopian world Codemasters created to house all these in-game die-hard rally fans who make up part of the crowd. They move from location to location, you are their anchor, they cheer for you and they are so happy to see you behind a wheel, they don't realise how the world around them only changes a bit at a time. I totally thought Dirt Rally 2.0 would end up at the top but I'm glad that Dirt3 is up there. That game was a perfect evolution, had great graphics, controls and the flashback system made it accessible to newcomers who didn't want their entire stage ruined because they didn't brake in time.

[@TraxionGG]

Love this comment!

[@arkimwilliamson4429]

Is 2 good

[@TobinLeigh]

Nailed the list, couldn't agree more - great video!!

[@TraxionGG]

Thanks Tobin ❤️

[@jgamerk1222]

I'm in the camp that Dirt 4 made Dirt Rally into a drivable game on a gamepad and that it was a fun but serious game even if it was a little dry.

[@Jonasofzo]

Dirt showdown is by miles the best game ive ever played in my life... The anouncement trailer of this game is so amazing and it will always hold a special place in my heart😊

[@bremaster93]

Finally someone else that likes DiRT Showdown too. That game is fun. 😀

[@Nothinghere42345]

I have always felt like the Dirt Franchise was in its golden age until Dirt Showdown released

[@syygnis]

agree Dirt Showdown imo is abysmal

[@paranomac]

Good game but meh compared to the others

[@zdravkoskrivanek1939]

My opinion: 8. Dirt 5 (too much arcade😑) 7. Dirt Showdown (same😑) 6. Dirt 4 (ok😐) 5. Dirt 1 (original, but a way too much bloom😶) 4. Dirt rally (real rally sim🙂) 3. Dirt 3 (smooth😏) 2. Dirt rally 2.0 (better version of dirt rally😁) 1. Dirt 2 (the blast, baby😎)

[@alecHur6608]

Which do u suggest I get. I like a good mix between sim and arcade. I have a budget of £22 on PS4.

[@runawayplane6166]

@@alecHur6608 A mix between the two would have to be DiRT 3.

[@MB-qv2rg]

@@alecHur6608 probably go for dirt 4 it's accessable enough without being too arcady

[@alecHur6608]

@@MB-qv2rg oh I bought dirt rally and I love it

[@tigerex777]

@@alecHur6608 man it's even better in VR. But PSVR at this point is a waste since PSVR2 is in development, but it is still incredible.

[@teneesh3376]

Dirt is a series I never thought I would ever get into. I just bought a wheel to play Daytona USA. Relearning how to beat courses again got a bit frustrating, so I just used Steam's family share to see if my brother's library had any games. I booted up dirt 3 and tried for hours to get a g29 to work and had a lot of fun with it. Sadly comparability with a g29 is a bit iffy on dirt 3 on pc, so I just bought dirt rally 2.0 on ps4 and had a lot of fun with it. I do like 3 more, but comparability iffiness is what makes me play rally 2.0 more. Something about the really long rally courses and very strange ui for the campaign makes it very confusing if Im actually progressing at all

[@dead-channel6842]

I've only played 3 dirt games dirt showdown,dirt rally and dirt 3 but the dirt 3 is the one that kept me emersed

[@pesvboude]

As a casual gamer, who likes stage rally, I love Dirt 4!

[@TraxionGG]

Sounds like you aren’t the only one who loves dirt 4! Maybe more people than I thought are still playing it 😊

[@77558]

Good list / ranking with proper arguments!

[@TraxionGG]

Thanks!

[@jessragan6714]

Awesome! So I own the best DIRT game... and the two worst ones. One thing I liked about DIRT 3 is that you could actually have other characters address you verbally, by name. If your name happened to be in the list, that is. (I had to settle for "Jez.")

[@incominglaunch]

I used to love the original dirt, all the different classes of cars like Dakar and racing trucks was always so cool

[@TraxionGG]

It was such a breath of fresh air at the time!

[@Boxinghockey23]

Dirt 2 is the top imo. Fond memories of me & the boys walking to my house during lunch period. Smoking a bowl, heating up hot pockets, and trying to beat each other’s times on courses. Miss those days lol

[@ze5258]

Dirt 4 HAS to be over Dirt 5 and Showdown, it’s a simcade that opens the world of more serious rally to more casual gamers. I love itZ

[@Dr4x]

Incredible video!!! I persoanlly think that Dirt 2 and Dirt 3 should share the first place. I think that there is enough rally content in Dirt 2, especially closer to the end of the game. Yet I can't disagree with Dirt 3 being good.

[@dirost_2595]

I love Dirt 3, I think that you gonna put Dirt 2 the first, but you put the best rally game in my opinion, of the 7th generation 💙

[@gavwrecker]

Dirt 2 has the best charm and character. It may not drive the best but the scenery and atmosphere is top tier.

[@BlackViking349]

Dirt 2 was my first game its soundtrack is so nostalgic and I agree Dirt 2 is the best

[@jat9926]

I just recently enjoyed Dirt5 from PsPlus and bought it outright on sale digitally, today I just bought Dirt 4 on vacation and I can’t wait to play it when I get home.

[@dereklatshaw3017]

I've actually gone back to play Dirt 4 and am still enjoying it. Dirt Rally 2.0 is my favorite, but Dirt 4 is entertaining and a immersive enough to keep me occupied when I don't want to be DR 2.0 level serious.

[@EnmandsBand1]

that's the perfect way of saying it, I totally agree I have been looking for similar games and can't find any that gives me the same feeling of car and road

[@nailsarecruel]

I've played them all and severely disagree with the Dirt Rally games being included on this list as they're more hardcore and realistic while the Dirt games are more arcade and accessible. That said, I agree with ranking Dirt Rally 2.0 over Dirt Rally 1. My Dirt series ranking: 1. Dirt 2. Spectacle, vehicle selection and locations. Loved Malaysia and the trophy trucks. 2. Dirt 4. Felt more like a follow-up to Colin McRae 04 and 05 than a Dirt game, but I love the Colin McRae games, no exception. Rally stages are finally long again. 3. Dirt 3: Though it did away with the spectacle of 2, it was fun, well presented and brought snow into the mix. 4: Dirt 1: Didn't get to spend much time with it, but I really liked the Dakar style trucks and the overall variety. 5: Dirt 5: was hyped for it, but only liked the 2D artwork used in its presentation. I always forget Dirt Showdown exists.

[@liuantonio729]

I only have dirt 4. It's the only racing game I've played. Hurts my soul to see it at the bottom of the list, because I really enjoy it. I guess I'll see what dirt 2.0 is about.

[@matthewjohnson1891]

I have 40hrs on ps4 and over 40hrs on steam for dirt 4. Imo its the best one. I have only like an hr on 2.0 its too difficult for me

[@rb026]

As a huge dirt fan who spent half of his life on dirt3 and showdown (I also really enjoyed dirt 2 and 5) I think u did well guys ! This franchise is lit 🔥

[@garryclark2080]

i agree with Alex, Dirt 4 has given me some epic racing, especially the rallye cross, i could not come to grips with the physics of Dirt rally 2

[@TraxionGG]

Sounds like a lot of people have a lot of love for Dirt 4! It’s good, just shows the strength of the franchise 😊

[@130Racing]

DiRT 3

[@TraxionGG]

Yeess!

[@luxerhusku2609]

Man, I loved Showdown and 5. I would rank them pretty high on my list and I had enjoyed Dirt 3 and 4 quite a lot. I never played Dirt 1 and 2, and Rally 1 and 2.0 are a skip for me since I am a huge fan of arcadey racing games. That's why 5 and Showdown will always be my top favorites! :D

[@ralcolfwolfcoon8207]

I honestly think 2 was better, but 3 was no slouch though

[@luxerhusku2609]

@@ralcolfwolfcoon8207 Wolfcoon. Are you also a furry?

[@ralcolfwolfcoon8207]

Guilty as charged. As stated in my name

[@luxerhusku2609]

@@ralcolfwolfcoon8207 Got a Telegram or Discord? Would like to chat with ya haha

[@ralcolfwolfcoon8207]

I have an email.)

[@Frankaupolis]

Great list mate!

[@roadrunnermjp]

Stupid question time did they not release a dirt 3 for ps4 or Xbox one? There’s dirt rally, dirt 2.0 dirt 4 and dirt 5. What happened to 3??

[@chrishorsey3277]

DiRT 1. No argument

[@Reymastereo]

Great Video Bro!

[@JohnMunroRacing]

Thanks!

[@earldeuna6932]

I love Grid 1 and Dirt 2. What happened to Codemasters?

[@zdravkoskrivanek1939]

Omg. Were you in my head? Just kiddin bro. But Grid 1 and Dirt 2 are da best games ever. Still got them both saved on Windows 7. Tottaly agree with you🤙

[@jessragan6714]

They got bought by EA.

[@The_Saldem_show]

@SNES Nes LMAO

[@MikoyanGurevichMiG21]

Dirt Showdown was sort of Wreckfest before Wreckfest lol

[@lucasbailey8878]

Nah, that title goes to the Flatout series (1 and 2)

[@incaseofemergency6051]

Excellent video and Dirt 3 is still one of my favorites! Dirt 4 comes directly after. The others...

[@calvinlegend2250]

Im playing through Dirt 3 rn, its wicked

[@syygnis]

7:41 anyone know what the outro song is?

[@NeedForMadnessAuto]

Dirt Showdown Was My First Dirt Game

[@ThomasHarrisonLord]

Ooof, a tough one, but on balance I agree with the top choice. Just.

[@JayZoop]

Thank you. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@TraxionGG]

You are welcome!

[@Drunken_Hamster]

If racing game physics had 4 tiers (Arcade, Hardcore Arcade, Casual Sim, Hardcore Sim), Dirt 3 would fall right on the borderline of Hardcore Arcade and Casual Sim. If Codemasters wants to make another game to bring both sides of the fans together, THAT'S where they need to aim. Also, after coming up with this 4 tier scale, I will no longer be using "simcade" or "arcade-sim" to describe racing game physics.

[@Idfk16_]

I think the original dirt should be higher

[@hobbitmansstash]

I tried a couple of other games I haven't played dirt 3 but judging by this video I want to but of the dirt games I've played so far dirt 2 is my favorite

[@BLKBRDSR71]

And I thought I was the only one who liked Dirt Showdown. Thank you. 🙂

[@TraxionGG]

Under rated!

[@pijinio]

D3 is a hidden GEM

[@dhtoran1]

Great video. I'm playing Dirt 5 since it's in Game Pass, and everytime I play it I think it's a boring game. Now, after watching this video, I'm thinking about switching to Dirt 3 and replay it again :-)

[@TraxionGG]

Do it!

[@dhtoran1]

@@TraxionGG Will do! I don’t understand why devs go one step back from a deep career mode to just “a series of disconnected events” in each iteration. It has happened to Grid, Dirt, PCars franchises

[@Skidzrocks365]

DiRT 2 and DiRT 3 for me. Great video BTW.

[@Reck46]

This plays so well on ps5 haptic controller , quite a showcase visual treat on my Bravia .

[@TraxionGG]

We agree, DIRT 5 is ace on PS5

[@Reck46]

Also have the option to run in full 120fps mode although I prefer full resolution 4K 60fps . I must add to this that the new Bravia is superb with ps5 . Thanks 😊

[@TheConnollyFella]

Dirt Rally 2.0 and Dirt 4 Were my favourites. Dirt 2 was my least because of it dropping the Rally Stages and Dirt 5? Well I didn't buy it and I never will

[@EnmandsBand1]

I love Dirt 4 (and Dirt 2) on my Xbox One with playseat and Logitech G923 wheel/pedals and I can't play WRC9 as it totally p*sses me off every time I try it - compared to Dirt 4 it's like driving in soap with no feeling of the road at all

[@trevorwhitham6742]

Dirt 4 was my first and I liked dirt 5 for the custom races

[@ZackBenton]

Dirt 2 is the peak of Dirt series because it had soul so for me Dirt 2 is the best

[@thedarkbrotherhood.7248]

I agree. Dirt 3 is a legend

[@ishaqgt946]

I have played all these games on pc with keyboard and i would say dirt 3 is my favourite easily. After the filter mod the game just looks amazing ❤️

[@elliottmccormick1936]

Wow! Great video

[@tere6055]

I liked dirt 4 as i like arcade and sim racing

[@rmitchell1]

Dirt 4 is underrated. WFT number 8???

[@Jimbles9982]

i loved dirt 4, dirt 3, and dirt 2. honorable mention being dirt rally

[@Shinomiyarin2408]

I knew it! Dirt 3 should be in no 1 rank cuz it's great game to play.

[@thedeep7606]

Dirt 4 at last is outrageous

[@SJ-su1ki]

Dirt 2 was my personal favorite but 3 is up there

[@lesfar]

I see into the comments that the people love's Dirt 2. I'm not alone ❤

[@codemy666]

Dirt 2 should definetly be the first with Dirt Rally 2 following it, both do what they set out to do the best, i'd put Dirt Rally 2 first but the fact that old stages from the previous game are DLC and that there's no track generator like in Dirt 4 really makes it fall back and takes away replayablity .... after that i'd put Dirt 4 (shame it didn't get VR support), Then Dirt 3 and Dirt Rally 1 ... Dirt 5 should be last because it just falls back on so many fronts compared to previous titles, i can't say much about the original Dirt and Dirt Showdown because i haven't played them (nor have i played Dirt 5 tbh but just looking at it then it looks like it falls short).

[@TraxionGG]

Different order, but a nice personal justification! At the end of the day, it's a great franchise from front to back. Thanks for watching!

[@elliottmccormick1936]

Dirt 2 is my favorite. But I never played dirt 3

[@martyncardno2172]

Feb 2024. Just re-bought Dirt 2 and 3 for PC

[@h1tzzYT]

Imo i dont think including dirt rally games in this list is fair as it targets completely different audience and then knocking it off for being not for everyone. Without dirt rally games here is my list (from best to worst): 1. Dirt 3 2. Dirt 2 3. Dirt 1 4. Dirt 4 5. Dirt showdown 6. Dirt 5

[@the14thearlofgurney84]

I have only recently got Dirt 5 as Dirt Rally 2.0 is difficult to find. It's a good enough game but I agree Dirt 3 is excellent and surpasses 5. There is just so much to do.

[@35bigbri]

dirt 3 for me :-)

[@RJ-cq8dd]

The roads on dirt rally are too narrow for me to enjoy. I prefer the simcades Dirt 2 and 3 much more. Trailblazer is my favorite mode and a pure thrill using my DD wheel and ushake6 cushion.

[@milkonovak7936]

id also rank dirt 3 as the best

[@The_Saldem_show]

This list is great, Shame that DiRT Showdown was lower than what i expected but who cares

[@KMJ187]

I really love Dirt 4!

[@Nutter1138]

Spot on

[@racdude01]

It’s uncanny that this list is pretty much a carbon copy of the forza horizon series with Motorsport 7 and 8 replacing rally 1 and 2.0

[@twinsneverbeg9617]

Dirt 2 is the Goat no cap😌🥂

[@antoninoincontrera8014]

unpopular opinion: for me dirt 4 and dirt 3 share the first place as best dirt games and dirt 2 is second...

[@vitkomusic6624]

Dirt 1 i am playing now..

[@skrymebruh1401]

dirt 4 under dirt 5 wtf

[@brianthompson207]

I agree 100%

[@TinyBearTim]

Dirt 2.0 dirt rally and 3 are the best ones

[@brillmongo]

I really hope codemasters will use the mud and particle effects from Dirt5 in the new WRC title. Whatever you may think of the game itself it looks amazing.

[@HammMann]

Ah, nice to know that the only dirt game after rally 05 that i like is apparently crap.

[@TraxionGG]

That's the great thing about opinions, everyone can have a different experience of the same product! Doesn't matter what others think if you enjoy it 😎

[@rustedflakes1136]

dirt 2 got me good!

[@dark2deeds]

i prefer dirt rally 1 in the realistic games i just like the handling better than 2 dirt 3 is the best game in the arcade games i still play to this day and i still play showdown

[@lebroncarter4902]

DIRT 3 is my favorite

[@RedlineVelocity24]

Rank the GRID series

[@jam6236]

My 3rd favourite dirt game is Dirt 2. My 2nd Favourite Dirt game which might be a surprise to people is Dirt 5 which is best played on ps5 cuz of the haptics and adaptive trippers. My favourite Dirt game which should get a remaster is Dirt 3. Love dirt 3 and I wish they make future dirt games like dirt 3

[@JohnMunroRacing]

Sounds spot on! Interesting to hear about Dirt 5, I've only tried on PC but that sounds fairly epic. All the love for Dirt 3 💜

[@smithcast08]

Dirt 3 is the best of the series, it isn't just nostalgia.

[@richmeier]

RIP Ken block

[@justanotherracingchannel]

Dirt 5 Last and Dirt 4 + Dirt Rallys at the top

[@KFXG]

My top 3 are: 1. Dirt Showdown 2. Dirt 2 3. Dirt 3

[@Turbobuttes]

Granted I haven't played all of them, but what I can say with certainty is that Dirt 2 easily belongs higher up than Dirt 3. It is a coherent, colorful, fun simcade rallying and rallycross experience. Meanwhile Dirt 3 already goes off the cliff of trying to appeal to everyone at the same time by both toning down the colors, tightening up the realism and including longer rally stages and classic rally cars for hardcore rally sim fans as well as shoehorning the utterly frustrating and out of place gymkhana mode into the game to appeal to the Ken Block energy drink crowd. It's telling enough that I finished 100% of Dirt 2 but gave up on Dirt 3 about halfway through because the game simply didn't come together and the gymkhana driving handled like absolute horse shit. Installed Dirt 4 yesterday and will try it out any time now and I already have a feeling I'll like it more than Dirt 3.

[@matthewjohnson1891]

I would put dirt4 as first. Dirt2 as second. Dirt 3 and 5 last.

[@franklinnash]

Dirt 3 is good, but trying to get it working properly with my Logitech G920 is a real pain and involves editing the settings file (and even then it only works intermittently). So for me, Dirt 4 should be at no 2. Since I'm a 'serious' rally fan I prefer Dirt Rally 2.0 so that would take the top spot.